They ended up hiring Convention, Sports & Leisure, a firm out of Minneapolis, to conduct a study for $96,500.

CSL recommended two locations for a possible convention center: one west of the mall along the river, and one near San Agustin Plaza. Considering a land purchase, projects in these locations could cost between $104 million and $116 million, CSL said.

But then at a Feb. 6 meeting, City Council voted to move forward with neither option, and to partner with La Posada Hotel to build the convention center behind their property, along the Rio Grande.

This caught members of the public off guard. Several had shown up to the meeting asking that the convention center not be built on San Agustin Plaza. The agenda item said council would be considering a convention center "south of Grant St, and west International Bridge #2."

In the initial feasibility study, CSL had suggested that the city bring in a recognizable hotel chain to partner with the convention center. However every City Council member at this meeting made a point to underscore how much La Posada has contributed to the downtown area and Laredo as a whole, and endorsed the partnership.

"La Posada is a jewel, one of the classic hotels in the state of Texas," Councilman Roberto Balli said. "... They are a trusted friend of the city. It's exciting to know that La Posada is interested in a public-private partnership."

Norbert Dickman, general manager of Fasken Oil and owner of La Posada, said this partnership will be good for both the city and the hotel.

"Laredo is so special. ... You have a history and a culture here that is so unique, and I think it would be enhanced by this project," Dickman said.

Other topics of interest

Also at Monday's meeting, council is set to discuss committing the Tecolotes De Los Dos Laredos to play baseball at Unitrade Stadium. In September, City Council voted for the city manager to sign a letter of intent with the team. This would bring professional baseball back to Laredo after the city terminated its contract with the Lemurs this spring.

After H-E-B vacated its downtown store last summer, it left the whole area without a grocery store or market. This turned downtown into a food desert. On Monday, Councilman Balli wants to request proposals for nonprofits interested in opening up a "small scale neighborhood food market of approximately 700 sq. ft" within the Southern Hotel, which the city owns, in order to address this situation.

In June 2015, City Council approved a food truck vending pilot program throughout designated sites in the city, including Parks and Recreation centers. Councilman George Altgelt will propose on Monday that food trucks be allowed to operate within all city parks.

Julia Wallace may be reached at 956-728-2543 or jwallace@lmtonline.com